Refrigerating apparatus



Sept. 8, 1931.

F. w. ANDREWS 1,822,003

REFRIGERATING APPARATUS Filed Dec. 31, 1927 Z a. Qwuentoz Patented Sept. 8,1931

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE FRANK ANDREWS, OF FORT WAYNE, INDIANA, ASSIGNOR, BY MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, I

TO FRIGIDAIRE CORPORATION, A CORPORATION OF DELAWARE REFRIGERATING APPARATUS Application filed December 31, 1927. Serial No. 243,965.

The present invention relates to improvements in refrigerating apparatus and more particularly the refrigerating element intended for use in mechanically refrigerated cabinets.

It is' an object to simplify the construction of the heat exchange portions of the element and to dispense with the use of refrigerant conducting pipes therein without detracting from the freezing efficiency of the element. a

' It is another object of the present invention to improve the construction of refrigerating apparatus and more particularly the type in which a cold producing element such as an evaporator and brine tank associated therewith is supported within a refrigerator "cabinet. v

It is a further object of the inventionto provide an element whose exteriorpresents a minimum of protruding parts and which therefore may easily be cleaned.

Further objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following description, reference being had 2 to the accompanying drawings wherein a preferred form of the present invention is clearly shown. q

In its general aspects the improved element comprises a tank or casing in one por so tion of which is immersed a refrigerant containing heat exchange device, another portion thereof being arranged to embrace a compartment adapted to hold substances to be frozen, the heat exchange between the 86 refrigerating member and the chamber'being effected by means of a suitable liquid aided by metallic conducting members attached to the compartment and disposed in heat trans-f mitting relation to the liquid and said refrigerating member.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 shows a equipped with the improved refrigerating element of the invention;

Fig. 2 is a side view partly in section of the element; and v Fig. 3 illustrates a front view also in section of the refrigerating element.

Referring in detail to the drawings the improved element comprises a container 10 front view of a cabinetpreferably formed of sheet metal and adapted to hold a liquid, an opening 12 being provided for filling the container and a suitable plug being used for hermetically sealing the same.

The tank 10 is provided with a chamber 11 preferably in the lower portion, likewise made of sheet metal and so located as to be substantially immersed in and surrounded by the liquid contained in the tank 10 except at the front portion which is open and which faces the front of the refrigerator cabinet.

In another portion of the container 10 is mounted a refrigerant containing heat .ex-

change device such as an expansion coil or fiooded chamber element. In the preferred embodiment of the invention a flooded chamber element is used and comprises a chamber 15 built in the form of a receiver fora suitable refrigerant such as sulphur dioxide.

This refrigerant is present in the chamber 15 in the .form of liquid. The arrangement shown constitutes a so-called flooded sy stem in which a considerable body of liquid is contained in the chamber 15. The abstraction of heat from the liquid inthe tank 10 causes the sulphur dioxide to vaporize, the gaseous refrigerant being withdrawn from I above the liquid through a ipe 17 leading to the compressor'(not shown The refrigerant is conducted to the chamber 15 through pipe 16, the level of theliquid in said chamber being controlled by a needle valve operated by a float 17 a which rides on congealed. Suitable shoulders or the like 14 are provided within said chamber and adapted to receive plates 23 which divide the chamber into a plurality of compartments each containing a drawer or tray 13. These trays 13 are used for holding the substances to -be congealed and are provided with fronts 20 arranged to provide a symmetrical appearance. The trays may be provided with suitable handles as at 31. Attached to the walls of the sleeve 11 and in good'thermal contact therewith are a plurality of heat conductingmembers 21. These preferably consist of metal bands which are bent up as at 22 so as to terminatesomewhat as radii extending from the refrigerant containing member but the device and owing to the efficiency of the immersion liquid present in the container 10 the ends 22 of the heat conducting: members 21 are not directly attached to the refrigerant containing chamber 15 but. are brought very close to the same. This construction facilitates assembly ofthe apparatus since the chamber 11 and its radiating fins or members 21, 22 may be positioned in the tankor' container 10 whereupon the refrigerant containing member 15 may be inserted.

The front of the member 15 is preferably provided with a cover 24. This cover as well as the exterior of the tank, 10 and the fronts plug 12 is 20 of the trays should preferably be finished with a cleanable attractive impervious and noncorrodible surface such as porcelain or the like. When ready for use the casing-10 is filled with a substance such as-brine which has great holdover capacity and which will not congeal. This serves to conduct the heat from the refrigerant containing device to the compartment 11, this transfer of heat being augmented by the metal conducting members 21, 22 which extend in close proximity to the device 15 and preferably below said device at which portion the brine is the coldest." A provided for admitting brine to the tank 10. r

Since the metal members 21, 22

ment 11, a freezing zone-is provided by these members in which substancesmay be rapidly congealed.

Referring to element of the invention is' shown installed in a refrigerator it will be observed that the redrip pin 29 may be provided for catching the moisture resulting during defrosting. The compressor used for operating the elenient may be disposed in the bottom compartment are in intimate contact with the walls of the compartisaaooe v of the cabinet here shown covered with a louvered ventilating plate 30.

While the form of embodiment of the in vention as herein disclosed, constitutes a preferred form, it is to be understood that other forms might be adopted, all coming within the scope of the claims which follow.

What is claimed is as follows: ,1. A refrigerating device for mechanically refrigerated cabinets,'comprising a container for holding a heat transfer fluid, a support for an ice tray within the container, metallic heat conducting means secured in thermal relation with the support, and a refrigerantcontaining 'heat exchange element insertable into said container and arranged in close proximity to said means without touching same.

2. A refrigerating device for mechanically refrigerated cabinets, comprising a container" for holding a heat transfer fluid, a support for an ice tray within the container, metallic heat conducting means arranged in thermal relation with .the support and a refrigerantcontaining heat exchange clement extending in close proximity to: said means without touching same andremovable from said container without disturbing said means.

3. A refrigerating devicefor mechanically refrigerated cabinets, comprising a container for holding a heattransfer fluid, a freezing fins secured in intimate thermal contact with said chamber, and a refrlgerant-containing heat exchange. element insertable into said container and arranged in close proximity to for holding a heat transfer fluid, a freezing chamber withinthe container, a plurality of fins secured'in intimate thermal contact with said chamber, and extending outwardly and chamber within the container, a plurality of v upwardly therefrom, and a refrigerantcontaining heat exchange element insertable into said container. and arranged in close proximity to said means without touching same.

'5. A refrigerating device'for mechanical refrigerators comprising a container, a support for an ice tray within said container, a coolingelement within said container, metallic hea-t exchange means connected with said Fig. 1 in which the improved nature.

- FRANK W.- ANDREWS.

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